PCA DISTINCTIONS

1. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1.1. In order to honour distinguished individuals renowned in the field of photography, the International PCA has established the following distinctions:
• for photographic artists recognized for their artistic work
• for individuals who, through their work or achievements, have contributed to the development of PCA
1.2. Applications for PCA distinctions are submitted independently by authors who have fulfilled the necessary requirements for obtaining PCA distinctions.
APCA – Artist PCA
EPCA – Excellence PCA
EPCA/b – Excellence PCA/bronze
EPCA/s – Excellence PCA/silver
EPCA/g – Excellence PCA/gold
EPCA/d – Excellence PCA/diamond
1.3. For those who, through their work or achievements, have contributed to the progress of PCA:
HonPCA – Honorary Excellence PCA
1.4. No distinction is made between candidates; both amateur and professional photographers may apply. No age limit is imposed.
1.5. The final decision rests with PCA.
1.6. All PCA distinctions are awarded for life. Holders of a distinction may append the corresponding initials after their name. These rules apply from the date of publication, namely: June 1, 2024.
1.7. A holder of a PCA distinction who commits a serious offence against PCA may have the distinction withdrawn by PCA. No appeal is permitted.
2. THE APCA DISTINCTION
2.1. The Artist PCA (APCA) distinction is the first artistic distinction that may be obtained. It is awarded to photographic artists whose artistic qualities have been recognized through participation in international salons under PCA Patronage.
2.2. Candidates for this distinction must:
a) Have successfully participated in international salons under PCA Patronage.
b) Have successfully taken part in at least 2 international salons under PCA Patronage.
c) Have obtained at least 5 acceptances in international salons under PCA Patronage.
2.3. Candidates for the APCA distinction must submit:
a) Upon award of the APCA distinction, PCA will send a printed APCA certificate and a PDF document. PCA will also mail a PCA badge with the APCA distinction to the stated address. The printed certificate and badge will be sent no later than 9 months after the APCA award.
3. THE EPCA DISTINCTION
3.1. The Excellence PCA (EPCA) distinction is an artistic distinction awarded to photographic artists whose artistic qualities have been recognized through participation in international salons under PCA Patronage.
3.2. Candidates for this distinction must:
a) Have successfully participated in international salons under PCA Patronage.
b) Have successfully taken part in at least 6 international salons under PCA Patronage in at least 3 different countries.
c) Have obtained at least 50 acceptances with at least 15 different works in international salons under PCA Patronage.
3.3. Candidates for the EPCA distinction must submit:
a) A complete application using forms prescribed by PCA.
b) Upon award of the EPCA distinction, PCA will send a printed certificate and a PDF document, as well as a PCA badge with the EPCA distinction, no later than 9 months after the award.
4. THE EPCA/b DISTINCTION
4.1. The Excellence PCA/bronze (EPCA/b) distinction is awarded to photographic artists whose artistic qualities have been recognized through participation in international salons under PCA Patronage.
4.2. Candidates must:
a) Have successfully participated in international salons under PCA Patronage.
b) Have successfully taken part in at least 6 international salons under PCA Patronage in at least 3 countries.
c) Have obtained at least 50 acceptances with 15 different works, and have received 5 gold-medal-level awards.
4.3. Candidates for the EPCA/b distinction must submit:
a) A complete application using forms prescribed by PCA.
b) Upon award, PCA will send a printed certificate, a PDF document, and a PCA badge with the EPCA/b distinction, no later than 9 months after the EPCA/b award.
d) An exhibition of the author’s works (10 photographs) on the PCA platform.
5. THE EPCA/s DISTINCTION
5.1. The Excellence PCA/silver (EPCA/s) distinction is awarded to photographic artists whose artistic qualities have been recognized through participation in international salons under PCA Patronage.
5.2. Candidates must:
a) Have successfully participated in international salons under PCA Patronage.
b) Have successfully taken part in at least 6 international salons in at least 3 countries.
c) Have obtained at least 60 acceptances with 15 different works, and have received 10 gold-medal-level awards.
5.3. Candidates for the EPCA/s distinction must submit:
a) A complete application using PCA forms.
b) PCA will send a printed certificate, a PDF document, and a PCA badge with the EPCA/s distinction within 9 months.
d) An exhibition of the author’s works (15 photographs) on the PCA platform.
6. THE EPCA/g DISTINCTION
6.1. The Excellence PCA/gold (EPCA/g) distinction is awarded to photographic artists recognized through participation in international salons under PCA Patronage.
6.2. Candidates must:
a) Have successfully participated in international salons under PCA Patronage.
b) Have successfully taken part in at least 8 international salons in at least 3 countries.
c) Have obtained at least 70 acceptances with 15 different works, and have received 15 gold-medal-level awards.
6.3. Required submissions:
a) A completed PCA application form.
b) A printed EPCA/g certificate, PDF document, and PCA badge sent within 9 months.
c) An exhibition of the author’s works (25 photographs) on the PCA platform.
d) An exhibition in the PCA Photo Gallery, accompanied by a PDF and a printed catalogue (50 copies).
7. THE EPCA/d DISTINCTION
7.1. The Excellence PCA/diamond (EPCA/d) distinction is the highest artistic PCA distinction.
7.2. Candidates must:
a) Have successfully participated in international salons under PCA Patronage.
b) Have successfully taken part in at least 12 international salons in at least 3 countries.
c) Have obtained at least 80 acceptances with 15 different works, and have received 25 gold-medal-level awards.
7.3. Required submissions:
a) A completed PCA application form.
b) A printed EPCA/d certificate, PDF document, and PCA badge sent within 9 months.
c) An exhibition of the author’s works (40 photographs) on the PCA platform.
d) An exhibition in the PCA Photo Gallery, with a PDF and a printed catalogue (50 copies).
e) A PCA-organized photo-shoot trip, arranged in agreement with the author, including paid air travel and accommodation for the EPCA/d winner.
8. FINAL PROVISIONS
All rules are established independently by PCA Patronage, which is responsible for awarding all PCA distinctions.
After submitting an application by email to pca.exhibition@gmail.com using the prescribed form, PCA Patronage will review the submitted data and award the PCA distinctions within a maximum of 30 days.
PCA distinctions are awarded in the order defined in these regulations.
APCA is awarded first, followed by other PCA distinctions in the prescribed sequence.

PCA Patronage
June 01. 2024